Traditional treats for Carnevale

Christmas has been put away, but that does not mean that the time to celebrate is over. In February in Le Marche, everyone starts getting ready for Carnevale. In the local bakeries and grocery stores, the traditional carnival treats are on display - castagnole and chiacchiere. While these are traditionally deep fried, I have made a lighter, baked version. They are every bit as delicious but without all of the calories and added fat. Although the Carnevale in Venice is the best known outside of Italy, the Carnevale in Fano in Le Marche is the oldest dating back to the mid 1300s. It remains one of the most well known carnival celebrations in Italy.

castagnole

Castagnole, so named because they are to look like little chestnuts,are formed in many shapes and sizes. At times, they are filled with a cream filling. This baked version is crisp on the outside and light and moist inside.Ingredients1 2/3 cups flour3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons butter (1/4 cup minus one teaspoon)at room temperature1/4 cup sugar2 eggs1 tablespoon anise liqueur or limoncello ( I used limoncello)1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon anise seedsa pinch of salt1 teaspoon vanillaFinely grated zest of one lemonPowdered sugar for dustingEquipmentOven preheated to 375 degrees FMixerCookie sheet lined with parchment paperTo Make the CastagnoleStep 1: Sift together the flour, salt and baking powder in a large bowlStep 2: Add the sugarStep 3: Make a well in the center and add the eggs, butter, vanilla, lemon rind, and slowly mix nearly blendedStep 4: Add the limoncello or other liqueur and mix at medium speed until fully ingtegrated ( this should not take much time). Your dough should be light and still a little stickyStep 5: Let the dough rest for about 5 minutesStep 5: Take well rounded tablespoons of the dough and roll with your hands on a well floured surface to make ropes approximately 3/4 inches in diameter. Step 6: Cut the dough ropes into lengths of approximately 1 1/2 inches and roll into balls of approximately one inch in diameter.Step 7: Place each ball onto the parchment lined cookie sheetStep 8: Place sheet in the center of the preheated oven and bake for approximately 12-15 minutes until the cookies are golden brown.Step 9: Remove from oven and let cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar.Step 10: Let cool completely and then enjoy.This will make approximately 2 dozen castagnole

Chiacchiere

Chiacchiere are light and crisp cookies. Often prepared fried, this easy to prepare baked version loses none of the crispness.Serve it topped with lots of powdered sugar.Ingredients3 1/3 cups of flour2 eggs1/2 cup of a light tasting extra virgin olive oil3/4 teaspoon baking powder1/4 cup sugar2 tablespoons brandy or another similar liqueur1 teaspoon vanillaZest of one lemon1/2 cup whole milkPinch of saltPowdered sugar for dustingEquipmentOven preheated to 375 degrees FahrenheitMixerRolling pinCookie sheet lined with parchment paperpizza cutterTo Make the ChiacchiereStep 1: Finely grate the rind of one lemonStep 2: Sift together the flour and baking powder in a large bowlStep 3: Make a well in the center of the flour and add the remaining ingredients: 2 eggs, sugar, olive oil, milk, salt, vanilla, grated lemon rind, brandyStep 4: With your mixer (or a fork if you prefer) slowly integrate all of the ingredients. Only mix until they are just combined. Do not over mix. Your dough will be soft and sticky.Step 5: Transfer the dough to a well floured work surface and shape into a ball.Step 6: Taking one third of the dough at a time roll it into rectangles of approximately 12 inches by 8 inches. Your rectangles should be about 1/8 of an inch in thickness.Step 7: With the pizza roller, cut the dough in half lengh wise so that you have two pieces 12 inches by 4 inches. Step 8: Cut this into 4 inch by 2 inch pieces and arrange on the bakins sheet covered with parchment paper.Step 9: Gently, with the pizza cutter, score the chiacchiere lenghwise down the center so that when the cookies are baked they can be easily broken into two equal pieces.Step 10: Place the cookies in the center of a preheated oven (375 degrees F) and bake for approximately 10-12 minutes until golden brown.Step 11: Remove from the oven, and while still warm, sprinkle generously with powdered sugar.Step 12: Let cool and Enjoy!This will make approximately 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

Tortelli di Carnevale

Tortelli are another typical carnival treat throughout Italy. These also are usually fried, but this is a recipe for baking them. I used a local version of nutella in these, but traditionally they are made with marmalade. You can fill them as you wish with either nutella, some fine chocolate and ground almonds, or your choice of marmalade. The cookies are soft and light and should be refrigerated as they are made with ricotta.Ingredients for the dough
1 1/4 cups Ricotta2 1/2 cups flour
10 tablespoons butter
softened
1 1/2 tablespoons extra
virgin olive oil (or if not available, add 3 more tablespoons of butter
instead)
2 tablespoons sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking
powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt For the filling
I used a local version of
nutella for my filling. You could
substitute some grated chocolate and finely found nuts. Or, as the traditional version, fill them
with your favorite marmalade. Equipment
Mixer with a paddle
attachment
Rolling pin
Round cookie cutter or
glass to cut the cookies
Baking sheet
Oven set at 375 degrees Fahrenheit To make the Tortelli
Step 1: Combine the ricotta, soft butter and olive
oil and mix with paddle attachment until it is all combined. (You may also do this by hand with a wooden
spoon.)
Step 2: Add the dry ingredients (flour, salt, sugar,
baking powder) and the vanilla and mix until everything is integrated but do
not over mix or your dough will be tough.
Note, your dough will be very soft.
Step 3: Divide the dough into thirds.
Step 4: On a well floured surface, roll the first
third of the dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch. Using a round cookie cutter or glass cut the
dough into rounds of about 3 inches in diameter.
Step 5: Place the rounds on a baking sheet covered
with parchment paper. Place a scant
teaspoon of filling on each one.Step 6: Fold the dough in half like you would in making a ravioli and pinch the edges closed either with your fingers or a fork.Step 7: Repeat steps 4 through 6 with the remaining two thirds of the dough.Step 8: Bake in a preheated oven set to 375 degrees F for approximately 12 minutes until they are golden brown.Step 9: Remove from oven and sprinkle generously with powdered sugar.Step 10: Let cool and enjoy.This recipe will make approximately 3 dozen Tortelli.